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Fairfield, CA
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Heron shot - X-ray shows
fractured wing and metal fragments
from ammunition that hit a
Great Blue Heron in Fairfield.
(IBRRC photo) |
A
great blue heron, shot and left
to die in Fairfield, is in guarded
condition after undergoing a three
hour surgery to repair its wing.
Humane Animal Services was notified
by a resident of the Brighton Court
area of Fairfield that the heron
was injured and in need of help.
The bird was rushed to International
Bird Rescue Research Center (IBRRC)
in Cordelia, which specializes in
the care and treatment of waterfowl
and aquatic birds.
IBRRC is appealing to
the public for information that
might lead to the arrest of the
person responsible for this senseless
crime. Rewards totaling $5,000 have
been offered by two animal welfare
organizations; $2,500 from the Humane
Society of the United States (HSUS)
and $2,500 from the International
Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).
Great blue herons are not an endangered
species, but are protected under
Federal Migratory Bird laws. The
shooting of a Great Blue Heron could
be a felony in the State of California
which has strict animal cruelty
laws.
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After surgery the Great Blue Heron is
in guarded condition at the
bird hospital at IBRRC. (IBRRC
photo) |
UC Davis veterinarian,
Greg Massey, operated on heron for
three hours to remove a bullet which
went through the bird’s ulna,
the portion of the wing which is
like a human’s forearm. Dr.
Massey was assisted by several students
from the Veterinary School at UC
Davis. IBRRC and the UC Davis Wildlife
Health Center work cooperatively
helping birds in need of special
care.
“Although it is
bad enough that someone would shoot
an innocent wild creature, the fact
that this is an adult bird and it
is breeding season means the possibility
exists that there are eggs or babies
in a nest and they will die. If
this bird survives it won’t
breed again until next year,”
said Jay Holcomb, Director of IBRRC.
The relationship between
animal abuse and violence against
humans is well documented and cases
like this are taken very seriously
by law enforcement officers. Anyone
with information that might lead
to the arrest and conviction of
person responsible for the shooting
of this heron should call Officer
Baon, Humane Animal Services, who
is heading the investigation. The
number for Humane Animal Services
is 707-449-1700.
Anyone witnessing the
harassment or harming of wildlife
can call the Department of Fish
& Game’s CALTIP (Californians
Turn in Poachers and Polluters)
at 1-888-DFG-CALTIP.
Media contact:
Public Affairs Director
(831) 622-7588
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